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Campfire restrictions extended due to increasing fire risk

19/01/2018

In the interests of public safety, the Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) has brought in extensive campfire restrictions as the fire risk continues to increase this summer.

State Fire manager Paul Black said that campfire restrictions have been established in all national parks and reserves in the North, North-east, East Coast, South-east, Upper Derwent Valley and King Island from 20 January until 14 March 2018.

The restrictions ban the lighting or use by any person of campfires, fire pots or other devices that burn coal, wood, plant material or any solid fuel. Gas stoves are permitted.

"The fire risk has increased with ongoing dry conditions and poorly constructed, unattended and abandoned campfires are contributing to the fire risk," Mr Black said.

"PWS staff are continually patrolling campgrounds and unfortunately we do find people having fires during fire bans, as well as leaving fires unattended or not properly extinguished. Already this year we have recorded 22 unattended campfires in parks and reserves, with several confirmed campfire escapes.

"When temperatures rise and the wind increases, these campfires can reignite and cause dangerous bushfires."

Mr Black said that during the summer holiday period and while the campfire restrictions remain in place, PWS staff will be actively patrollling popular campgrounds and areas where arsonists are know to operate.

Parks visitors should be aware that the restrictions will remain in force until 14 March, after the Labour Day weekend, or until a very significant rain event, so campers should be prepared with appropriate cooking equipment.

The PWS requests the assistance of the public in ensuring the safety of visitors to reserves and nearby residents as community fire safety is a shared responsibility.

A map of the fire restrictions is available on the PWS website www.parks.tas.gov.au